DPAC A to Z Guide

The list below covers some of the most commonly asked questions about DPAC and attending an event at DPAC.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, please e-mail [email protected] to submit your question.

Accessible Information

DPAC meets or exceeds all public facility structural and service requirements as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please visit our Accessibility Guide page for details.

Address

The mailing address for DPAC, as well as its physical address, is 123 Vivian Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701

Age Requirement

Please note that all guests require a ticket, regardless of age.

Children under the age of 6 are not allowed at most DPAC performances. Some exceptions apply, including family shows such as Disney Live, Paw Patrol and Daniel Tigers Neighborhood.

To check the specific policy for a particular show, please visit that show’s More Info page on DPAC’s website, dpacnc.com

Children must be able to sit quietly in their own seat without disturbing other guests. As a further courtesy to our guests, DPAC recommends one parent or chaperone for every one child in attendance.

In addition, DPAC does not allow unaccompanied minors under the age of 16 to any performance.

Aisles

For safety and as a courtesy to other guests, please do not sit or stand in the aisles. Aisles should be kept clear at all times, We ask you to comply with all these policies.

Alcohol Beverage Policy

No alcohol may be brought into DPAC. Beer, wine and mixed drinks may be purchased inside DPAC for most events. All persons must be age 21 or older and provide legal identification prior to purchase. Purchases are limited to two (2) beverages at a time. Management has the right to refuse service at any time and sales can be terminated at any time at the discretion of DPAC. Typically, beer, wine, and mixed drink sales end shortly after the final intermission or 60 minutes prior to the end of the event.

Aloft Hotel

Opened in September 2015, the six-story, 134-room boutique hotel is located directly adjacent to DPAC. Within an easy walking distance of DPAC, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and dozens of restaurants, the Aloft Hotel will offer the perfect location for out-of-town guests visiting DPAC.

American Dance Festival (ADF)

Deemed “the world’s greatest dance festival” by The New York Post, DPAC is honored to host ADF performances for seven weeks every June and July.

Animals

Animals or pets of any kind are prohibited with the exception of service animals for guests with disabilities. Service animals are welcome inside the building and must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times. If you intend to bring a service animal to the building, please notify your ticket representative at the time of purchase so that an aisle seat may be reserved for you.

ATM Locations

There is a SunTrust automated teller machine (ATM) for your convenience, located on the east side of the Orchestra Lobby near the souvenir stand / booth.

Banners and Signs

Small signs are allowed, but larger signs with sticks or poles are not. Banners and signs may not be hung or fastened anywhere in the theater. Banners and signs must not be commercial in nature or obscene or cause any disturbance with other fans. DPAC reserves the right to remove any banner or sign without exception.

Binoculars/Opera Glasses

While most guests feel that DPAC’s intimate size of 2,700 seats do not require binoculars, you are welcome to bring binoculars or opera glasses to performances at DPAC. We currently do not have them available to rent.

Cameras, Video Cameras, Audio Recorders

Cameras are prohibited at all DPAC events unless accompanied by appropriate media credentials and approved in advance. Video cameras and audio recorders are also prohibited at DPAC unless specifically approved. Please check in advance by emailing [email protected]

Charity Requests

Every month DPAC receives nearly 100 donation requests from worthy organizations across the Triangle and beyond. Unfortunately, our contracts with the shows that visit DPAC do not allow for us to give away tickets to the many local charitable groups and fundraising events that make requests. For more information, please visit the community section of our website.

Designated Driver Program

The Designated Driver Program is designed to ensure guests a safe trip home from DPAC. Guests who pledge not to drink beer, wine, or mixed drinks during the event may sign up at the Guest Services Window in the entry lobby and may be eligible for complimentary soft drinks or bottled water.

Door Opening

The time the doors to DPAC open will vary according to the event. The typical times are noted below. Please check in advance by visiting your event’s more info page.

Broadway: Lobby doors open 60 minutes prior to the start of the event and doors to the seating area open 30 minutes prior.

Concerts and Comedy: Lobby doors open 60 minutes prior to the start of the event and doors to the seating area also open 60 minutes prior.

Drop-off

DPAC offers a drop-off and pick-up area directly in front of our entry doors on Vivian Street. Limousines, buses, and cars will be allowed to drop-off and pick-up in this area, but vehicles are not permitted to park there.

Elevators

Public elevators are located in the lobbies adjacent to seating sections 4, 7, and 10. When first arriving, the elevators are most easily accessible from our West Entrance adjacent to the Aloft Hotel. Please note that for some events, lines for the elevators can form both before and after the event. You have our promise that DPAC staff will assist in minimizing your wait time as much as possible and we appreciate your patience.

Emergencies and Evacuations

DPAC is committed to providing the highest standard of safety for our visitors and employees. Emergency response procedures have been developed to address an emergency or crisis that might arise at DPAC or surrounding areas that might affect the theater operation. In the case of an emergency, please proceed to the nearest marked exit. If the nearest exit leads to an emergency stairwell please head down to the street level and out of the building.

DPAC personnel have been trained to assist in emergency situations. Areas of Rescue Assistance are available and visual and audible alarms are located throughout the building for use in the event of an emergency.

Escorts

DPAC can provide wheelchair escort service from the drop-off area on Vivian Street to the interior of the seating area. This service is free and can be requested through [email protected]. To minimize your wait, we suggest that you make arrangements for this service prior to the event you are attending. DPAC can also provide escort service to nearby parking areas after the event; however, this service does not include wheelchair assistance.

Firearms / Concealed Handguns

Firearms and/or Concealed Handguns with or without a license are not permitted at DPAC. If any guest arrives at the facility with a firearm or handgun, you will be instructed to return the weapon to your car. DPAC does not have a weapons check-in, and we will not take possession of firearms under any circumstances. The only persons allowed to bring firearms into DPAC are credentialed local, state, and federal law enforcement officers.

First Aid

Guests in need of emergency first aid should contact the nearest DPAC staff member for assistance. Minor first-aid items including Band-Aids and Aspirin are available at the Guest Services Window located in the Entry Lobby. ​

Food and Beverages

DPAC offers a variety of snacks and beverages throughout the facility. Guests are not permitted to bring any food or beverages into DPAC. Containers such as bottles, cans, thermos bottles, or plastic coolers are not permitted. For more information please visit our Snacks and Beverages page.

Guest Courtesy

DPAC is committed to providing an enjoyable family atmosphere. In order to maintain an enjoyable and safe environment, we request that all guests be courteous to those around them and abide by all theater policies and regulations. Guests using foul language or appearing intoxicated will be ejected from the theater. Guests wearing obscene or indecent clothing will be denied entry. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Noisemakers of any type are prohibited. Guests who engage in inappropriate behavior will be removed from the theater.

DPAC staff have been trained to intervene where necessary to help ensure that the above expectations are met, and guests are encouraged to report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest usher, security guard, or DPAC staff member. Guests who choose not to adhere to these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund, revocation of future tickets and may also be in violation of city ordinances resulting in possible arrest and prosecution.

Guest Services

Guest Services is the hub for many helpful programs and is located in the Entry Lobby on the ground floor. Services include:

DPAC is equipped with a “Listen” listening system. Receivers are available for all events and provided free of charge. Guests who are interested in this service should visit Guest Services located in the Entry Lobby on the ground floor.

Lost children/parents should be escorted to Guest Services to notify DPAC security. DPAC security will arrange search procedures. The Lost Child Program is available to guests attending events with children. Guests are asked to register their children with Guest Relations so that they can be easily found in the event they are separated from their parents or guardians. The child will be given a wristband containing vital information. If a child is lost during an event, he or she will be brought to Guest Services where a DPAC representative will use the information on the wristband to locate the parents or guardian. ​

Lost and Found

If you lose an item during an event, please contact any DPAC team member for assistance. Found items can be turned in to Guest Services. Our lost and found department is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and can be reached by email at [email protected]. DPAC is not responsible for lost items. Found items are held for a 30 days.

Outside Vending

The selling or sampling of merchandise, food, beverages, tickets or other items on the property without written DPAC authorization is strictly prohibited.

Parent’s Lounge

For some concerts and family shows a parent’s lounge is set up to accommodate parents who are not attending the concert but don’t want to leave their children at the venue alone.

Peanuts and Other Allergies

We recognize that some customers are allergic to peanuts and other tree nuts. We can't guarantee you won't be exposed during a visit to DPAC:

Food served at DPAC may contain peanut oils or trace amounts of peanuts or other tree nut products

We may serve nut mixes that contain other types of tree nuts

Guests may bring their own peanuts, foods with peanut butter or other types of nuts

Regular venue cleanings and our air filtration systems do not remove nut allergens

We strongly encourage you to take necessary medical precautions if you have a nut allergy because we cannot provide nut-free zones or accommodate specific requests not to serve food containing nuts.

Prohibited Items

For safety reasons, patrons may be refused entry if they are in possession of prohibited items including, but not limited to: alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, food, drinks, glass/plastic/metal containers, cameras, video recorders, audio recorders, fireworks, laser pointers, backpacks, coolers, knives over 5 inches in length, weapons of any type, baby seats or carriers, unauthorized noise makers, glitter, confetti, Frisbees, streamers, helium balloons, beach balls, parcels or packages, inflatables, brooms or large bags of any kind. The guest must throw the prohibited item in the trash or return the item to their vehicle. DPAC reserves the right to confiscate any prohibited items and/or escort the guest from the building.

Public Phones

A courtesy phone is available at Guest Services located in the Entry Lobby.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located throughout DPAC for your convenience in the Entry Lobby, Orchestra Lobby, and Grand Tier Lobby. All restrooms include accessible facilities.

Family Restrooms for guests with children are located just off the Entry Lobby on the ground floor.

Baby Changing Facilities are located in all public restrooms

Re-Entry

Re-entry varies depending on the event. Please check with a supervisor at the doors to determine the policy for your specific event.

Refunds

Broadly speaking the shows we host consider all sales final but every show is different. Please contact [email protected] for specific information on the show in question.

Sign Language Interpreters

DPAC can provide sign language interpretation for guests with hearing disabilities. Requests for this service must be received 30 days prior to the event and be approved by the event that DPAC is hosting. For more details or to request this service, please contact us at [email protected].

Smoking Policy

In compliance with local and state laws, DPAC is a smoke-free facility. Guests are prohibited from smoking anywhere inside the Center. Smoking, including alternative smoking devices such as electronic and/or vapor, are also prohibited. For some events, guests wishing to smoke may exit the building, but please note that Durham County also prohibits smoking within 100 feet of bus stops; in public parks and on trails; and on public sidewalks abutting schools, hospitals, and city and county property which includes DPAC.

Standing at Concerts

Standing and Dancing at Concerts: DPAC is proud to welcome all types of concerts to our stage. Sometimes during the course of a concert performance, audience members will show their enthusiasm by standing and dancing, especially when encouraged by the performers to do so. Unless directed by the show, we do not ever enforce a must sit policy at concerts. For most concerts, this would not be acceptable to the performers on stage who often love it when the crowd is moved enough by the performance to stand. This is especially true for rock shows and for seats closest to the stage.

Please know that DPAC does not have a “no standing” policy and in most situations will allow guests to stand even if they block the view of the stage for other guests. If your view is ever blocked by a standing or dancing guest, please contact an usher and we’ll attempt to find alternative seating.

Ticket Scalping

DPAC strictly prohibits ticket scalping and the resale of tickets on the premises.

Weather Policy

During winter weather months, all performances scheduled at DPAC normally take place as planned. For more information on our inclement weather policy please visit the Weather Information page.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchair escorts are provided through Guest Services. Please ask any DPAC Staff Member for assistance. To arrange services in advance, please email us at [email protected]

Will Call

Will Call is a widely used term for picking up tickets at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Ticket Center at DPAC. If you have been told your tickets are at “will-call”, this means that your tickets will be waiting for you at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Ticket Center at DPAC, 123 Vivian Street on the northeast side of the Center at the corner of Vivian and Mangum Streets. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Ticket Center at DPAC opens three hours prior to the start of the event and remains open until intermission. Please make sure you bring a photo I.D.